We are able to offer a wide range of post-16 opportunities. Please ring our learning team staff to discuss your potential visit. We are ideally suited for the study of the coral reef biome, fisheries and their management, aquatic ecology and pollution, and the role of animal collections in conservation. Our staff use the Aquarium as an environment for teaching AS and A2 Biology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Psychology, Geography and Art.
We also have expertise in Science Communication and can provide support for scientists and science students wishing to engage the public. Content on all topics can be tailored to suit the needs of a particular group. Please telephone 01752 275 233 to discuss your teaching requirements.
AS/A2Biology; Environmental Science; Geography
The Aquarium is an accessible environment where students can study a number of marine communities in detail that is seldom possible in the wild. A themed visit, with its intrinsic close observation, can help students understand previously theoretical concepts.
Suggested topics we can offer include:
- Diversity, Evolution and Classification. (The aquarium displays at least five phyla, compared to the one to three at most zoos)
- Ecology and Ecological principles.
- The role of captive animal collections in conservation.
- Capture fisheries, aquaculture and fisheries management.
- Ecology of coral reefs, the problems facing them and their conservation.
- Animal behaviour
Fisheries: The broad topic of fisheries is introduced and we discuss the problems the industry faces and solutions that have been put in place. Within the aquarium, the group looks at some of the features of commercial species before discussing fisheries management and the attendant biological, social and economic problems The National Marine Aquarium is adjacent to the Plymouth Fish Market and a visit to the market can be organised to enable students to see a variety of fishing vessels and gears, and learn about different fishing methods in context. Two-hour in-depth session includes the Aquarium only, a three-hour in-depth session includes fish market visit.
14-16 VGCSE; and 16+ BTEC, GNVQ,AVCE, HND, FdSc, MScCoral Conservation:The worlds coral reefs are in decline but how does this affect biodiversity and humans? Social and economic issues that are associated with reefs are discussed along with the threats and solutions. A trip to the Aquarium gives students a chance to see real soft and hard corals, British coral such as the Pink Sea Fan, understand coral biology and handle coral skeletons.
A-level Geography and Biology
Pathology: Behind the scenes at the Aquarium are a number of laboratories including a pathology lab. Every fish death is investigated by our animal husbandry team and a post-mortem is carried out. Small groups can organise visits to the Aquarium to be shown how this post-mortem is carried out, what it is that our aquarists have to look for and discuss what measures are put in place to control disease.
Vocational (VGCSE, GNVC, AVCE, HND etc.)
Leisure and Tourism (including Leisure and Recreation, Travel and Tourism, Business Studies)
The National Marine Aquarium is an ideal case study for students of business and tourism covering many issues relevant to the leisure and tourism industry today. The Aquarium was opened in 1998. It employs approximately 100 people and in its first trading year attracted 475,000 visitors making it one of the largest attractions in the region.
The National Marine Aquarium is an educational and conservation charity, but in order to fulfil its charitable objectives it must operate as a successful business within the leisure and tourism industry. This makes it an ideal subject for studies in Leisure and Tourism and Business Studies from GCSE to degree level.
Our sessions cover the creation of the National Marine Aquarium; its impact upon the local environment and economy; how it functions as a business, how the Aquarium is marketed to our potential customers, customer care and enhancing the visitor experience, and the challenges we face in our operations.
A normal session on this theme will consist of an explanation of the background (scene setting) and tour of the attraction with a member of the Learning team, followed by a question time.
This subject is so well suited to our set-up that in the last few years the National Marine Aquarium has been selected for regional INSET and as a case study at GCSE.
Animal Care/ Husbandry/ Animal ScienceA variety of courses under a number of headings from Husbandry and Animal Management to Aquaculture deal with the topic of ensuring that animals get the best possible care.
Where better to study this than at the National Marine Aquarium where animal welfare is of high priority? We can cover this topic from basic level to degree and beyond. As you would expect these sessions are very popular.
Our Animal Care sessions progress through the aquarium considering how we match exhibit design to the animals’ needs, nutrition, water quality and interpretation in different areas. It is usually possible to take suitable small groups behind the scenes to view our tank arrangements, breeding programmes and life support systems. We also discuss our health management. This is a unique opportunity for students to see how a major facility works and gain an insight into the care of aquatic organisms.
Higher EducationAquarium staff teach on a variety of courses in collaboration with local universities. Topics covered include - Fisheries Studies/ Fisheries science; Marine Biology; Coral reef Conservation; Aquaculture, Aquariology and science communication.
